Lawyer ordered out as PNG stops another Manus inquiry

The PNG government has moved to shut down a second probe into human rights at the Manus Island detention centre, with Australian lawyer Jay Williams ordered to leave the centre on Thursday.

The Sydney barrister was given access to more than 70 of the more than 1300 asylum seekers by PNG judge David Cannings, who instituted the second inquiry after the first was stayed by government legal action.

But Mr Williams was told to leave early on Thursday afternoon by officials who said the country's chief migration officer had obtained a court order for his removal.

The government has challenged Justice Cannings' partiality and maintains doctors and lawyers without PNG qualifications cannot take part in his inquiries.